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[Malaria knowledge and practice. Medical study in Songhay-Zarma (Niger)]
J Julvez1, M Hamidine, A Boubacar
1Faculté des sciences de la santé (Département de santé publique), Niamey, Niger.
Sante (Montrouge, France)
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Community members in Niger identified mosquitoes as the primary cause of malaria, leading to widespread use of bed nets. Improving drug supply and awareness campaigns can enhance malaria treatment and prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Medical Entomology
- Public Health
- Tropical Medicine
Context:
- Studies conducted in the Niger River valley, an area of permanent malaria transmission.
- Investigated 114 families in Niamey and a rural village, assessing perceptions of malaria.
- Traditional housing and environmental factors conducive to malaria vector presence were noted.
Purpose:
- To explore community perceptions of malaria causes, treatment, and prevention in Niger.
- To assess the understanding and use of mosquito bed nets.
- To identify potential areas for improving malaria control strategies.
Summary:
- Most families recognized mosquitoes as the main cause of malaria (44.7%), with fever (konni) as the primary symptom.
- Self-treatment with medicinal plants or unavailable oral drugs was common; Nivaquine was the only known medication.
- Mosquito bed net use was widespread, indicating a general belief in their efficacy despite limited understanding of disease transmission.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of community beliefs in shaping health behaviors regarding malaria.
- Identifies critical needs for regular drug supply and public awareness campaigns on malaria treatment and prevention.
- Suggests that improving access to and knowledge of impregnated mosquito nets could further enhance malaria control efforts.